COMMERCE, Texas – No. 12 West Texas A&M is heading to the NCAA Division II College World Series for the third time in program history after defeating No. 10 Texas A&M-Commerce 4-0 on Saturday to be crowned the South Central Regional Champions.
Kyra Lair continued to dominate in the circle as the redshirt sophomore shut the Lions out for the fourth time this season scattering three hits with nine strikeouts in a complete game shutout to help the Lady Buffs bounce back from a 10-5 loss tot A&M-Commerce earlier in the day that forced the winner-take-all matchup.
Lair struck out four of the first Lion batters that she saw before the Lady Buffs scored all four of their runs in the top of the third inning. After the first out of the inning, Shanna McBroom tripled to right center before scoring on Ruby Salzman's single to center. Erica Vessels would replace Salzman at first on a fielder's choice before moving to second on a single from Alyx Cordell. Gabriella Valforte doubled to left center to plate Vessels followed by a single from Madison Johnson to plate another run. Sydney Greeson would walk to load the bases followed by a walk from pinch hitter Steph Elliott to make it 4-0.
Lair had retired seven straight batters before Avery Boley singled to lead off the bottom of the fifth inning but the Canyon native would hold her there as she forced three straight fly outs to keep the Lady Buffs ahead 4-0.
She continued to roll in the circle as she sat A&M-Commerce down in order in the sixth inning before clinching the Lady Buffs 38th win of the season with a pop up to Cordell.
The NCAA DII College World Series is scheduled to take place on May 27-31 at the Regency Athletic Complex in Denver, Colo.
